Denver Broncos 2020 7-round mock draft

The regular season is here for NFL teams. Despite the 53-man roster being set, with what I have seen from the Denver Broncos, there are still some clear areas of weakness that need to be addressed.

The Broncos can address them, but can they get that help this season, or will they need to wait until next year?

There is one issue with the Broncos fixing these issues this year. Their cap space. Even after releasing veterans Zach Kerr and Dekoda Watson, the Broncos are still a little strapped in cap space.

With how they stand, Denver is in a bind to try and fix the issues this year. That means the Broncos need to be looking at 202, when they'll have a good amount of cap space, and 11 picks in the NFL Draft, if they get their three projected compensatory picks.

This mock draft is built on what appear to be current needs. Of course, a lot can change not only with the Broncos, but the players selected in this mock.

College season is just getting underway, and the NFL season has yet to start. Here is my latest Broncos mock draft.

Round 1: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU

Denver looks stacked at receiver, but with Emmanuel Sanders set to be a free agent and Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton yet to step up, Denver could be in need of a playmaker. Even if they do take the next step collectively, there is an element missing from the Broncos' receiver corps that they need to find and that is speed.

Reagor brings that speed as he is said to run a 4.3-second 40, and for his smaller stature, he is pretty tough and built really well.

You don’t need to worry about drops, and you want to get the ball in his hands. He is so electric that you design plays to get him involved, and even possibly as a returner if you don’t have another option.

Reagor is electric with the ball in his hands, so you want to do just that. Adding Reagor gives the Broncos a whole new element to their offense that they just don’t have and could definitely use.

Round 2: Walker Little, OT, Stanford

The Stanford left tackle has been considered by many as a future first-round pick, even before he ever played a snap for the Cardinals. He is a physical specimen, but this coming season he has to show tremendous improvements from a technical standpoint to cement himself as a possible first-rounder.

His anchor, strength in hands and works so well on the move. Little would be a perfect fit for the Broncos, especially if Mike Munchak can fix the technical issues.

The current left tackle for the Broncos, Garett Bolles, also has to show tremendous improvement this year. It is a sad thing to see that the NFL left tackle for two years has worse technique than the Stanford junior. Over his college career, Little has played 636 pass-blocking snaps, and given up four sacks, four hits and 15 hurries. If he wants to be a first-round pick, he needs to show improvements in technique first.

Round 3: Willie Gay, LB, Mississippi State

With only 469 snaps under his belt, Gay has a lot of questions that he needs to answer this year. He stands at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, and is one of the better cover linebackers in the nation, but he is also strong against the run.

In his limited snaps, Gay has piled up 20 run stops and two interceptions. Adding to that he only gave up 11 catches with no touchdowns and a passer rating of 25.8 when targeted. He has a solid start, but he needs to show he can do it consistently and with more reps.

Round 3 (via PIT): Jake Hanson, C, Oregon

Denver has had issues from their current center in snapping the ball, and he is set to be a free agent after this year. That means they will have to find someone, and Jake Hanson is a solid option. He has played over 2700 snaps in three years and given up zero sacks, four hits and 34 hurries.

What stands out is the technique and movement skills that are perfect for a team running a zone run scheme, like the Broncos. There are issues that need to be cleaned up, and he could get stronger at the point of attack, but it is hard to not see Hanson as a potential upgrade for the Broncos.

Round 4: Ben Bredeson, OG, Michigan

Another pick on the offensive line as Denver can’t afford to not go heavy on the position. With Ron Leary often injured, Connor McGovern a free agent after the year and the depth looking poor, Denver spends back to back picks to shore up the interior creating a potential killer interior with Dalton Risner.

Bredeson will be a four-year starter and has the ideal build and good skill-set for the middle. He is a tough run blocker and a good pass blocker, plus he has looked his best when operating in zone blocking concepts. One concern is that he has only played left guard during his college career.

Round 5: Richie Grant, S, Central Florida

A solid playmaking safety that can help in the deep part of the field. There is an issue with his run defense that will need to show tremendous improvement during this season to even go in round five, but the playmaking is something that can be special.

With Justin Simmons set to be a free agent, the Broncos could be looking for a new playmaking safety, and Fangio has a knack for finding later safeties and making them studs. It is worth noting that Grant isn’t a typical Fangio safety, which could lead to him being off the board for the Broncos.

Round 6 (comp): Jack Driscoll, OT, Auburn

There is some potential with Driscoll, but there needs to be signs of growth from him this next year. In 2018 he allowed 10 hurries and two hits with no sacks, which is a good step forward from a year where he allowed six sacks.

He is a solid mover and looks best when working in zone concepts. Driscoll would give Denver someone to develop for right tackle, or have as the backup swing tackle.

Round 6 (via WAS): Jay Tufele, DL, USC

With Shelby Harris, Derek Wolfe and Adam Gotsis all set to be free agents, Denver may need to address their depth on the defensive line, otherwise, the position of strength can quickly become a weakness.

With his 286 pass rush snaps, he picked up three sacks, three hits and 14 hurries with is a pressure every 14.3 pass-rushing snaps. He is also a solid run defender and picked up eight stops on 222 run defense snaps last year. This year he has a chance to really rise up the draft. Plus he is currently only 20 years old.

Round 7 (via NE): T.J. Carter, CB, Memphis

Denver traded a sixth for a corner from New England and a seventh. With that seventh they take a corner that is a solid prospect, that needs to show a lot of growth, for a room that may be without Chris Harris, Jr. and has injury concerns with Bryce Callahan.

Their depth at corner looked horrible this preseason, but the Broncos added a couple guys after roster cutdowns, but depth is still very much a need. Carter has good speed, is a sound tackler, and the ball skills to be intriguing, but lacks consistency.

Round 7 (comp): Darius Anderson, RB, TCU

Denver has looked for playmakers from their running back position, and Anderson has the potential. His 2018 wasn’t the best, but he had a really good year in 2017 where he flashed his potential to be a threat at running back.

He doesn’t have the build to be the main back, but in Denver he wouldn’t need to be. Instead he would be potentially replacing Devontae Booker. Prior to his regular season kickoff, he has been dealing with a foot injury which needs watched.

Round 7(comp): Tyler Johnston III, QB, UAB

With their final pick, the Broncos take another stab to find a young backup quarterback. There is a lot that Johnston needs to show this year with only 143 passing attempts so far. He has a big arm to make big time throws, but we need to see him do it more before he really makes a move with his draft stock.

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